Chapter 96 - 86 (Updated)

It was 2 days after Hoppou's surprise visit.

"Admiral, fly..." (Eldridge)

"Up you go. Woah. Be careful with that."

Eldridge let off some sparks as I lifted her in my arms. Today, Azur Lane's commander came to visit, along with Belfast and Eldridge.

"Long time no see. I haven't heard from you since your two carriers went rogue."

"Oh come on. I don't want to be reminded of that for the time being. I had to go through a lot to stop all the infighting after they returned. Anyway, enough of that. I came here to give my due thanks." (Commander)

"About time. It's been way too long."

"Sorry. It took me a while to get everything under control." (Commander)

He looked towards Belfast, who was standing by his side. Belfast gave a nod, before reaching into a bag and took out a few boxes of snacks. There so many different types! From cookies to some weird pie with a fish head sticking out of it. Mamiya will enjoy figuring out how to make them.

"I have more in the boat, but this is all we can bring in."

"There's more?"

"Yep. I can't offer you weapons or resources, but I can give you food. And maybe some gems."

"Gems?!" (Suzuya)

Suzuya came falling through the front door, followed by the others from fleet 1.

"You girls really love to eavesdrop, don't you?"

"Ehehe. Sorry, we can't help it." (Agano)

"Never mind that. Commander-san is giving us gems?" (Suzuya)

"Y-yeah. That's the plan." (Commander)

"Wow! That's..." (Suzuya)

Suzuya turned to Eldridge, who had been staring at her the whole time.

"This girl..." (Suzuya)

"Suzuya?" (Eldridge)

"Uwaah! What's with this girl? She so cute!" (Suzuya)

Suzuya took Eldridge from my arms and cradled her. I'm not sure if she is surprised or fine with it, but Eldridge started emitting sparks. It doesn't seem to affect Suzuya though.

"Suzuya, horn?" (Eldridge)

"Hmm? Horn?" (Suzuya)

"Ahaha. They do look alike." (Commander)

"You mean the me in Azur Lane? How is she like?" (Suzuya)

"Both of you have similar faces, give of the highschool girl feel, and you two have massive ti- Gaagh!!!"

Belfast just punched him in the head before he could finish. I got pretty good idea what he was about to say. The commander is now lying face flat on the table. He is definitely knocked out.

"Master, please refrain from saying disgraceful things in front of our hosts. Oh my..." (Belfast)

"You are pretty fierce, ain't you?" (Suzuya)

"Wow! So many snacks poi! Admiral, can Yuudachi..." (Yuudachi)

"Not yet. There's more. So just wait a while."

"There's more?!" (Yuudachi)

"Belfast... -san."

"Just Belfast will suffice. I'm am but a maid. There is no need to add honorifics to my name." (Belfast)

"O-okay. Then Belfast,"

"Yes?" (Belfast)

"Can you lead us to the rest? Yuudachi can't control herself anymore."

Yuudachi was drooling just from the sight from the various treats placed on the table. Even Shigure is starting to drool.

"Certainly. Please follow me." (Belfast)

Apart from several boxes of treats and a bag of red gems, there were quite a few big bag of ingredients too. Potatoes, vegetables, and even lobster.

"Isn't this too much?"

"No. We at the Royal Navy have agreed that Azur Lane owes at least this much for your help." (Belfast)

"But you already came and cleaned the place on New Years."

"That was the Sakura Empire's way of repenting their mistakes. This is our way for saying thanks."

Umm... Okay?

I feel like I should ask her what is really going on, but anymore and I might get too involved in their problems.

I got the girls to unload the all the bags and bring them to their respective storage. There is enough for everyone to receive one gem each. These gems are big and resemble diamonds. I wonder if Akashi and Yuubari can turn these into jewellery instead for leaving it as it is. Suzuya, Agano and Yamashiro are absolutely captivated by its beauty. Shigure and Yuudachi are more focused on the food that is in front of them. Zuihou is looking at the bag of ingredients. She must be thinking of what to cook later on. Zuihou tends to help out with the cooking nowadays.

"That was mean of you, Belfast." (Commander)

The commander walked up from behind, still rubbing the back of his head.

"Correcting my master's behavior is also part of a maid's duty." (Belfast)

"I know you love me..." (Commander)

Belfast didn't say anything. Eldridge, who was still in Suzuya's arms, started emiting more sparks. She turned her attention towards the sea.

"Enemy..." (Eldridge)

"Huh? Did you just- What is that?!" (Suzuya)

In a distance, a big black hammerhead shark can be seen floating around a a girl with long purple hair. It looks like she is getting closer. It's not an Abyssal princess. I remember that shape. It's a-

"A siren?! And the Purifier type!" (Commander)

"What is it doing here?" (Agano)

The bags will have to wait. We have battle to fight.

"Shigure, Yuudachi! Raise the alarm. Prepare for combat!"

"Roger!" (Shigure and Yuudachi)

"Belfast, can you contact HQ?" (Commander)

"It's no use! I'm being jammed!" (Belfast)

"Tch! This is bad!" (Commander)

"Of course it is! We will just have to make do it!"

The alarm rang. The shipgirl's that were out in the open quickly ran to get their equipment.

Belfast and Eldridge transformed into their battle mode, getting ready to fight.

The commander and I made our way to the command center.

"Do you have a plan?" (Commander)

"No. That's why I'm going to need all the information you have."

A battle against an enemy we have not encountered before. What Akatsuki from the Sakura Empire said is coming back to me. This enemy defies the laws of physics and all other things. If that is true, we are going to have a serious problem.